Reasonable Adjustments - Extra Time

Summary

Extra time is permitted in certain cases to allow a student to complete examinations with extended time. This is usually because the student either has a specific learning difficulty or complex needs that requires them to spend more time that 'others' during an exam.

Extra time of 25% is usual in the following circumstances. Extra time up to 50% is exceptional and guidence should be sought before considering such an application.

Learning difficulties

In order to award 25% extra time the centre must assess the needs of the candidate based on one of the following documents:

Statement of Special Educational Needs relating to secondary education

Education, Health and Care Plan, which confirms the candidate’s disability

An assessment carried out no earlier than the start of Year 9 by an assessor confirming a learning difficulty relating to secondary/further education.

So as not to give an unfair advantage, the assessor’s report must confirm that the candidate has at least one below 'average' standardised score of 84 or less which relates to an assessment of:

Speed of reading

Speed of reading comprehension

Speed of writing, or

Cognitive processing measures which have a substantial and long term adverse effect on speed of working

Exceptional circumstances

In exceptional circumstances 25% extra time may be awarded to a candidate where the assessment confirms that the candidate has at least two low average standardised scores (85-89) relating to speed of processing or working.

Complex Needs

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Sensory and/or Physical Needs

Social, Mental and Emotional Needs Speech,

Language and Communication Needs

Supervised rest breaks must always be considered before making a request for extra time, since they may be more appropriate for candidates with a medical condition, a physical disability or a psychological condition. Where a candidate has complex needs, which have a substantial and long term adverse effect on his/her speed of processing, appropriate evidence of need (as below) must be available at the centre for inspection. In these specific cases Form 8 is not required.

The SENCo’s must have available for inspection one of the following:

A letter from CAMHS

A HCPC registered psychologist, a hospital consultant or psychiatrist

A letter from the Local Authority Specialist Service, Local Authority Sensory Impairment Service or Occupational Health Service

A letter from a Speech and Language Therapist (SaLT)

A Statement of Special Educational Needs relating to the candidate’s secondary education, or an Education, Health and Care Plan, which confirms the candidate’s disability.

Reasonable Adjustments

Where a candidate with learning difficulties is using a computer reader, a reader and/or a scribe in order to remove a substantial barrier to assessment, it would not normally be appropriate to grant more than 25% extra time.